I grew up in the 1970s, and I was thinking today how vastly different Christmas celebrations/observations are now. I'd like to list some and ask everyone else to chime in with some of their own.

"Tear drop" multi colored big lights for the tree and the house. I see so many "all white" light displays these days, and they are so tiny. I miss the big rainbow effect ones.

Putting the tree up. Nobody EVER put up a Christmas tree before December 1st, and I honestly don't think we did until about the 10th. The tree would be left up for three weeks or so, then taken down on New Year's Day.

Christmas cards! We got so many that my mom would punch holes in them, and string them together with ribbon and hang them in the archway between our kitchen and living room.

One location for Christmas. I understand that the family unit has changed a lot. But just about everyone in those days celebrated in one place...I cannot imagine the pressure of going to multiple locales.

Real trees! We had a real pine tree every year until my dad passed in 1992. I loved the smell of the trees, but the mess was awful to clean up and of course, there was always the danger of fire.

Christmas specials on the week of Christmas! Has anyone else noticed that they start airing these so early now that by the time the holiday actually arrives, there's nothing left to air that week?

I've got more, but I'd love to hear from everyone else! :santa:

Another good thread, Michael, as always.

Pretty much one of the ones you mentioned. More often than not, too many people are putting up Christmas decorations at the start of October or November, and taking them down at the end of January. At least respectively do it on December 1, and the first week of January.

I remember my Mother sending out a TON of Christmas cards and us getting a bunch in return. Everybody sent them. I still do, but not nearly as many as my Mom sent, and I don't receive nearly as my family received when I was little. Not everyone sends cards like the old days.

One location for Christmas. I understand that the family unit has changed a lot. But just about everyone in those days celebrated in one place...I cannot imagine the pressure of going to multiple locales
Yeah my family would do this when I was a kid, we still visit my mothers aunt every year but now my cousins are married with family of their own that the reunions get smaller each year.

this is a little bit off-topic, but someone mentioned the special THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS. Well, the PBS station in Philadelphia shows it every year during the holidays and it's also on DVD.

totally about the holiday cards when I was a kid we used to get tons and they would be hung all over the house.....I still send them and receive some but not as many as when I was younger.

I always went out on Christmas Eve and Day, but now I only go to one place on Christmas.

But...I have one...dressing-up on Christmas. I won't be doing so since 2014 wasn't a good year for me.

I grew up in the 1970s, and I was thinking today how vastly different Christmas celebrations/observations are now. I'd like to list some and ask everyone else to chime in with some of their own.

"Tear drop" multi colored big lights for the tree and the house. I see so many "all white" light displays these days, and they are so tiny. I miss the big rainbow effect ones.

Putting the tree up. Nobody EVER put up a Christmas tree before December 1st, and I honestly don't think we did until about the 10th. The tree would be left up for three weeks or so, then taken down on New Year's Day.

Christmas cards! We got so many that my mom would punch holes in them, and string them together with ribbon and hang them in the archway between our kitchen and living room.

One location for Christmas. I understand that the family unit has changed a lot. But just about everyone in those days celebrated in one place...I cannot imagine the pressure of going to multiple locales.

Real trees! We had a real pine tree every year until my dad passed in 1992. I loved the smell of the trees, but the mess was awful to clean up and of course, there was always the danger of fire.

Christmas specials on the week of Christmas! Has anyone else noticed that they start airing these so early now that by the time the holiday actually arrives, there's nothing left to air that week?

I've got more, but I'd love to hear from everyone else! :santa:
We would always have the tree up by December 13th which was my Mom's birthday. We would always open one present on Christmas Eve and then the rest on Christmas morning. I remember we would get up about 3 am to open the presents. Then we would fall asleep by 6. lol I remember every year we would go in the car and just look at Christmas lights. Those were good times.

We would always have the tree up by December 13th which was my Mom's birthday. We would always open one present on Christmas Eve and then the rest on Christmas morning. I remember we would get up about 3 am to open the presents. Then we would fall asleep by 6. lol I remember every year we would go in the car and just look at Christmas lights. Those were good times.

Sonny, we did the "one on Xmas Eve", too! It usually was the one from my brother and sister in law, because they spent Christmas Eve with us and the next day with her folks. And yes, we did the "drive around and look at lights", too. We knew who lived in all the houses. You're right; those were great times.

We always opened presents on Christmas Eve. My grandparents would come and spend the night. We never opened presents on Christmas morning because we had to be at church by 9 a.m. My dad didn't want to have to rush us along. We also went to church on Christmas Eve. That was good because our church was in the next town about 10 miles away and we'd get to see all of the Christmas lights on the way. It was magical. The children's Christmas service was that night. The Sunday school kids each had a "piece" to memorize and recite before the congregation. I used to be so afraid that I would goof up! But I never did. And every Christmas my sisters and I would all get new dresses to wear to church. Then we'd go home and my grandparents would be there with a ton of presents. My parents didn't have a lot of money then and my grandparents really went all out for us! It was great! I let my own kids wait until Christmas morning. :santa:

^ Those are a lot of great Christmas traditions. I always enjoyed walking out in the woods with my mom & her brother to find an evergreen/cedar tree to chop down. My dad never went with us, he didn't care much for Christmas, but he did like the Christmas dinner my mom made. We'd go to my mom's parents on Christmas eve and then stay home Christmas day. My mom always made fudge and she'd let me help her. Also we'd take turns helping her grate the coconut for the coconut cake. And it took forever on that hand-grater she had. It's funny how all those simple little traditions hold a special place in my heart.

What are some of the things you saw at Christmas that you never saw the rest of the year? I remember the nutcracker (the device, not the opera) coming out at Christmas. Also remember the beautifully smelling Christmas candles, Christmas albums by folks like Perry Como, Bing Crosby and others. The big old boxes of stringed lights, always housed in a cardboard box that had housed a turkey way back when. The Christmas tape, that we used to seal cards. The ribbon that Mom hung cards with and wrapped presents with. A big old stuffed Santa Claus that my dad brought home from the bar he worked at (I believe his boss gave it to him). The good plates that we ate dinner off of. The old ornaments, tinsel and garland for the tree, as well as the blanket at the base.

Ehh, gettin' sentimental now. Anybody else?

Back in the 1950's while I was growing up my grandma always decorated her windows with those snow stencils. And grandpa strung those old large ribbed Christmas lights along the front of the house.

Yup, I am getting sentimental:)

It seems decades ago, you would hear carolers in the neighborhoods.

Yeah,Christmas cards.
There was a time when I would get 50 or more but it's dwindled down to less than a dozen. A lot of people died and I guess the rest hate me now. When I was a kid someone would always send a fruitcake or a box of cookies but that hasn't happened in 20 years. I had this small blow-up reindeer that I used to put in the window but my dog threw a tantrum because I didn't take him for a walk so he chewed the head off. I don't even hear the old time Christmas songs on the radio anymore,it's all new crap.